Some
families among the Namboothiri community became Bhattathiris in one of
the following three ways:

1.
Saasthra Bhattathiris (Meemaamsa Bhattathiris): The primary mission
in life of Namboothiris used to be the acquisition of knowledge and its
wise application. Saasthra Bhattathiris pursued this mission as well as
teaching and specialising in Sanskrit, Vedam, Linguistics, Astronomy, Astrology,
Architecture, Meemaamsa, Tharkam (logic) and so on. All of these Saasthra
Namboothiris are from "Aadu" or "Edu" class and some of them are from "Ashta
Grihathil Aadhyan" families. Polpaya Bhattathiripad, Pandamparambath Bhattathiripad
(Ashta Grihathil Aadhyan families), Kunnathur Padinjaredath Bhattathiripad
(Aadu), Manjappatta Bhattathiripad, Avinjikkad Bhattathiripad (both Edu)
are some of them. These families got "Bhatta" titles from the Samoothiris
of Kozhikode after passing various examinations conducted during the famous
"Pattathaanam" (Click here). Some families
like Koodalloor Nambudiripad and Purayannur Nambudiripad were eligible
to use the title "Bhattathiripad", as several generations in these families
had passed the necessary tests, but they continue to use Nambudiripad as
surname.

2.
Smaartha Bhattathiris: In olden days, certain families specialised
in conducting trials and bringing out the evidences from the mouth of the
culprit, if a Namboothiri (man or woman) committed sins in social life.
They conducted trials only on Namboothiris. These sins included extra-marital
affairs, treachery, theft, etc. The job was almost like that of the prersent-day
judge. The king or an equally responsible person pronounced the judgement,
based on the evidences collected and presented by these experts. The process
of trial was called "Jaathi Saasyam" or "Smaartha Vichaaram", and the expert
conducting it was called Smaarthan or Smaartha Bhattathiri. Here, the term
Bhattathiri is synonymous to "expert Namboothiri". So "Smaartha Bhattathiris"
are educated, qualified and experts in Smaartha Vichaaram. (Click
here for Smaartha Vichaaram). Some of the Smaartha Bhattathiris are
Pattachomaarath Bhattathiri, Vellakkaatt Bhattathiri and Kaavanaad Bhattathiri.
Some of these families are now known as Bhattathiripad due to respect.
All such families were from "Aadu" or "Edu" class.

3.
Bhaagavatha Bhattathiri: Specialisation in oratory and recitation of
"Puraanams" (epics) like Bhaagavatham was also considered a great achievement
among Namboothiris. Such Namboothiris gained much respect as they enlightened
the people-at-large with their oratorial skills and knowledge of the epics.
Thus, ordinary people gave them "Bhattathiri" title. Namboothiris specialised
in these areas were known as Bhaagavatha Bhattathiris. Aattupurath Bhattathiri,
Karuvaatt Bhattathiri and several other families in various parts of Kerala
belong to this category. Many families from various classes of Namboothiris
gained the "Bhattathiri" title in this manner.